Trail camera captures what appears to be cougar in Colgate; DNR taking a closer look

COLGATE -- A FOX6 News viewer's trail camera has captured what appears to be another shot of a cougar. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is investigating.

Kelly W. reached out to FOX6 with the picture that she said was captured by the trail cam on at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13. The trail cam is located just north of Highway Q in Colgate. The DNR is working to confirm whether the animal in the photo is a cougar of something else.

"Having the property we have, I was very surprised to see that," said Kelly, who did not want to speak with FOX6 on camera.

Kelly said the image was captured in a wooded area on her property, and she and neighbors have a strong suspicion it's a roaming cougar.

"Yeah, that's not the size of the cats we have. To me, that's a large animal," said Kelly.

The image is on the DNR's radar.

"It's got many of the traits that would suggest it is a cougar. We're waiting to get a staff out on site to visit the location where that photo was taken," said Scott Walter with the DNR.

To clear up the questions, staff will look at the tree behind the animal and the camera placement to get a better measurement of its size.

In February, a cougar was confirmed in Colgate after it was captured by home surveillance cameras. Walter said this could be the same cat.

"If it is a cougar, it is likely the same individual that showed up a few weeks ago," said Walter.

DNR officials said it's likely the cat is on the prowl for a mate, and no one should be alarmed -- but neighbors in Colgate said they're on guard.

"Obviously going to be guarded for our neighbors, the kids in the area and our animals," said Kelly.

If you think you've spotted a cougar, you're asked to fill out the DNR's "Large Mammal Observation Form," which you can access HERE.